Citizenship

Citizenship

Rick Adamson, 9.8.17

© 2017 Rick Adamson

Considering all of the problems we have I feel that we need to round the wagons and focus on our citizens, nationalism, and patriotism.

We are a nation bound not by race or religion, but by the shared values of freedom, liberty, and equality as set forth in our Constitution and other founding documents.

 

At the risk of sounding proud or boastful I proclaim that the USA is an exceptional country.  No one knows this more than foreigners because so many of them want to come here.  They stand in line by the millions to do so.  Also, some of the proudest citizens I know are legal immigrants (naturalized citizens); they are thrilled to be here.

Many of us, unlike immigrants, take our heritage for granted.  We do not appreciate this great country into which we were born. We forget, or were never taught, the significance of our Constitution and the resulting right of “life, liberty, and freedom to pursue happiness in almost any way we choose. Please note the words “freedom to pursue happiness” because happiness is not a “right” as some seen to believe. It must be pursued; it cannot be awarded.

We have been bequeathed freedom, justice and opportunity from the deeds and commitments, even the spilled blood, of Americans who came before us. We did not earn the inheritance.

We really should step back and think about it. Most people do not live under a Democratic Republic as we do and they do not have the rights that we do.  We have a unique Constitution which provides for rights and obligations that only apply to us. Our Constitution, and our rights, do not apply to non citizens even though, many people think and speak as if it did. Some act as if the whole world has rights under our Constitution and that we owe them something. They do not and we do not.

When, and if, we choose to allow foreigners to immigrate here we are extending a privilege to them because they have no inherent right to come here.  So, we should be very thoughtful to our citizens before we extend such invitations.  Citizens’ must come first.

Every citizen is the brother or sister of every other citizen.  We need to start to treat our fellow citizens in a way that is consistent with this notion.

We need to encourage our government to promote our citizens’ rights and make sure their well being comes first and that their rights are respected. We should remind our representatives that we have a government of, by and for the people and that they are responsible to us for their positions.

Our system is not perfect, however, it is the best in the world.  It is, by design, cumbersome (and slow) because, in order that it be thoughtful to the needs of citizens, it requires collaboration and agreement of many parties before action is taken. But, over the long run it has worked.  So be patient but get involved.

What does it mean to be a citizen of the United States?

A citizen is a person who is a member of our country. As a citizen, you give your loyalty to the U.S.A. In return, the government protects you and all your rights granted in the Bill of Rights and the Constitution. These rights, amoung others, include:

• Freedom to express yourself.
• Freedom to worship as you wish.
• Right to a prompt, fair trial by jury.
• Right to vote in elections for public officials.
• Right to apply for federal employment requiring U.S. citizenship.
• Right to run for elected office.
• Freedom of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

A citizen is free to pursue what ever lifestyle he or she chooses, so long as it does not infringe upon another citizen’s rights.  The government’s responsibility is to protect us from foreign powers and from infringements upon our liberty and property so that we can go about our pursuits without fear.

Note that these rights do not include 3 squares a day, clothes for your back, a place to live or an income from the government.  Each citizen is expected to take personal responsibility for these things and to provide for his family through hard work.  These rights also do not protect your feelings as they will probably be ruffled from time to time.

These right are not without costs as our responsibilities, as citizens include:

·        Support for and defense of the Constitution.

·        Staying informed of the issues affecting your community.

·        Participating in the democratic process.

·        Respecting and obeying federal, state, and local laws.

·        Respecting the rights, beliefs, and opinions of others.

·        Participating in your local community.

·        Paying income and other taxes honestly, and on time, to federal, state, and local authorities.

·        Serving on a jury when called upon.

·        Defending the country if the need should arise.

With respect to these responsibilities, some are concerned about a shortage of civic awareness and engagement and voting. Above all, we are responsible for tending to our own democracy, making it work for all and transmitting it to our children better than we inherited it.

What We Owe

We begin with gratitude. We are lucky to have been born here or to have become naturalized if we were not born here. This nation of unequaled wealth and power, of freedom and opportunity, was given to us. But no matter how rich and powerful it becomes, America is not and never will be a finished project. It is always evolving.

Democracy is not fixed like a monarchy. It is dynamic. Democracy reflects the will and above all the action of each generation of American citizens. So what do we owe? As Americans we owe a profound debt of gratitude for the actions of those who preceded us, and we owe those who will follow an America that is even greater and more beautiful than it was transmitted to us.

We must learn and we must teach our young the importance of  the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the other grand documents of American history.

Lincoln said at Gettysburg: “It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced”.  He spoke of a new birth of freedom so that government of, by and for the people would not perish.

The State of the Union

There is a sense, particularly among many young people, that being an American citizen is no big deal, with no obligation attached to it; an endeavor not particularly worthy of their time and talent.

All of us are aware of a disconnect between people and their elected representatives. People do not trust them. People think they do the bidding of powerful interests. People think they are not relevant to their day-to-day lives. People think that citizenship is hollow.

Some are concerned because they know that if we are apathetic, passive, and cynical about our democracy, then we will invite leaders who abuse power. There is an old observation: a society of sheep must in time beget a government of wolves.

Citizens should be concerned because we stand on a precipice. If American citizens increasingly become disengaged, then the entire American democratic enterprise is at risk. If civic participation continues to decline as it has I wonder whether our democracy can continue as we know it.

What We Should Do

Civics

Why should you and I and others engage in civic activity?

We have plenty of important things to worry about-doing our jobs, paying our bills, taking care of our families. No doubt, these private interests are civic virtues in their own right.

We are good, in this country, at speaking out for and protecting our individual interest. But all of us can benefit from giving at least some of our attention to advancing the public interest, or as the founding fathers called it the common good.

Look around you. Many things need to be done in your community and country. Perhaps you are upset by the actions of your representatives, or the school that your children attend, or the quality of your health care. Or, maybe you are concerned about the conditions of the roads that you drive on or even our nation's foreign policy.

Tending your own business and the affairs of your family is important. But civic engagement is your way of influencing, for the better, your neighborhood, community, state and nation. If we become involved our cynicism will dissipate and our morale will improve. We may even see life become better, richer, and fuller for our fellow citizens.

Some folks vote and say and believe that their civic duty has been fully discharged. Voting is important but not enough. Do you know who does not disengage when the voting is done? Special interest groups! They begin their work the day after an election; they know that's when the real work begins. They know it and so should the rest of us.

If you are upset about the influence exerted by special interests; if you are upset about the actions of a public official; if you are upset about the condition of your local school; even if you are upset about a pothole in front of your house-civic engagement is a way of taking action to make your corner of the world better. What do we have on our agenda that is more important?

The key to good governance is simple: it is to hold power accountable. Civic engagement does just that. We engage because it improves our democracy, and it is the only way to make our government responsive to the people.

How, then, do we engage? After all, the American system is one that is run for the people by the people. Let your elected officials know that you know this.

Most Americans want to be better people living in better communities, a better state, and a better nation. Often, they want to become involved but don't know how don't know where to go, whom to talk to, what to do.

Like the attitude of the builder who said: I cannot solve the world's problems, but I can help build this house.

We would all like to engage to resolve the big problems: fixing health care, saving social security, changing the tax code or defending our nation against its enemies. Some of us have those opportunities, but most of us don't.

All of us can engage most effectively through small, incremental changes. A school is rebuilt. Ramps for the handicapped are carved into street corners. A safety signal goes up in a dangerous intersection. A worthy, young disadvantaged student enters medical school. A young woman steps into the world with more opportunity than her mother.

These are not insignificant examples. They save and improve lives and communities. This is the wellspring of our American democracy countless small actions that make a better nation.

We engage by looking around us, seeing something that needs fixing, and doing something about it:

We can stay more informed about issues in our own communities, as well as the issues of the state and nation.

We can run for elective office or work for candidates of our choice.

We can vote in elections and hold each of our representatives accountable-from the president on down to a town council or commissioner.

We can join institutions of service - be it the peace corps, the armed services, Americorps, or local uniformed services.

We can volunteer for charitable causes and organizations.

We can join the sometimes messy, rough and tumble dialogue of democracy by writing letters to local papers or elected officials, asking questions or advocating positions.

We can give speeches or ask questions why things cannot be better across the street or across the world.

We can organize petition drives or letter writing campaigns.

We can join-or begin-organizations that reflect our views and enlarge our collective voice.

Set goals; craft messages; organize; and when successful share the credit.

Civic engagement is the greatest antidote for cynicism; it is also a great-maybe the best lesson of democracy.

When we become engaged in community life we no longer feel distant from the centers of power and decision-making. We come to understand our own communities, and appreciate how we can influence change. Perhaps most important, we gain an appreciation for the hard work of democracy how to understand different points of view and forge a consensus behind a course of action towards a solution in a complex, busy and diverse society.

If we engage, we lessen the distance between ourselves and those who govern. And we gain understanding and appreciation for our country that can only make it and the ongoing experiment of American democracy stronger.

Crime

One of our responsibilities is to respect and obey federal, state, and local laws. Every citizen is the brother or sister of every other citizen.  We need to start to treat our fellow citizens in a way that is consistent with this notion.  If we could do this, crime would be reduced for people are less likely to harm a brother or sister than a stranger.  We, as citizens of this great country, should adopt a zero tolerance attitude toward predatory violent crime.  We have no place it society for this behavior-killing and robbing with guns or other weapons.  Those determined to commit violent criminal acts should be removed from society and put away in a not so pleasant place so that they cannot harm peaceful citizens.

Immigration

As a sovereign nation we should, like all other sovereign  nations, regulate and control our borders.  This is more important today than ever before due the prevalence of terrorist, human trafficking and drug cartels. Our borders have never been effectively managed and this must change. This does not mean the elimination of immigration, but, rather the careful regulation of those individuals who entering our great country, including their names, addresses and the purpose of their being here.  This sounds elementary but, the fact is, we do not know this information concerning up to 20 million people who live among us. This is due to our failure to enforce immigration laws that are on the books and due to our porous borders. It is a matter of national security!

 

Summary

Let’s refocus our efforts on the well being of our country and its citizens. Our government’s entire job is to protect and promote the wellbeing of our citizens not the citizens of foreign countries. It should, as part of that effort, encourage citizens to learn and understand the importance of being a citizen. Let’s all rally around this great country and all of our fellow citizens and promote the good ole USA.

Liberalism

Progressive Liberalism

© 2017 Rick Adamson

by Rick Adamson 1.7.17

Progressive Liberalism, as practiced in America, has failed. Government intervention has not helped improve society. It has insured dependency and broken long standing norms as related to families, personal responsibility and work. At some point we need to get back to common sense and the recognition of the essence of human nature; that humans have an insatiable desire for more stuff...more rights...more money...more of the belongings of their neighbors.

The progressives hardly ever back away from an opportunity to “improve” on our nature by setting up hugh programs in order to provide us with more of what we desire even though our Constitution is devoid of any authority to do so. Such programs always cost too much money and are rarely successful.

As Ronold Regan once said “The Government is the problem.”

If you doubt this assertion ask yourself "what has FedGov done for me lately?"

FedGov has morphed into more than a dozen large departments. It spends almost $4 trillion a year. It has hundreds of agencies and runs more than 2,300 subsidy programs. It employs 2.1 million civilian workers, 1.4 million uniformed military personnel, and 560,000 postal workers. It is a huge organization. Read more:

htttp://adamrick.blogspot.com/2016/06/the-federalgovernment-fedgov-is-out-of.html

Here is an excerpt from an article entitled ”What the Progressives Want” By Carol Negro.

“Progressives divide the world into victims and exploiters, and see themselves as saviors of the underdogs who are incapable of fending for themselves. And that requires greater government power in their hands, to vanquish the exploiters. This perspective explains much of what President Obama is doing with the vast powers at his disposal.”

Read more:

https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2009/05/what_the_progressives_want.html

I am reminded of a recent book by Jason L. Riley “PLEASE STOP HELPING US: HOW LIBERALS MAKE IT HARDER FOR BLACKS TO SUCCEED”

Read a review of the book:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18406408-please-stop-helping-us

Here is an excerpt from the review “Mr. Riley argues convincingly that liberal initiatives intended to assist blacks have hurt them more than they have helped. Social-welfare programs of the 1960s helped wreck the black nuclear family and make socioeconomic self-independence undesirable. Minimum-wage laws priced inexperienced blacks out of jobs. Weak law enforcement endangered blacks who lived in crime-ridden neighborhoods. Affirmative action either benefited blacks who were already academically qualified or put academically unqualified blacks in rigorous schools where they struggled to succeed. Mr. Riley demonstrates that these are not empty hypothetical statements, but concrete conclusions based on experiential evidence.”

Think about this "If we learn anything from the history of economic development, it is that culture makes almost all the difference. Witness the enterprise of expatriate minorities— the Chinese in East and Southeast Asia, Indians in East Africa, Lebanese in West Africa, Jews and Calvinists throughout much of Europe, and on and on. Yet culture, in the sense of the inner values and attitudes that guide a population, frightens scholars." David S. Landes

Culture is fostered by independent "civil" institutions (schools, churches, PTA's and civil clubs) not by FedGov.

Uncle Sam has a unique opportunity to find a better way to fulfill his obligation to the citizens of the country and that does not mean redistribution but skill development and jobs for our existing citizens. We must change the culture by convincing people that education and skill development is a lifelong endeavor and that they will be rewarded for the effort; that everyone must work and that productivity fosters prosperity.

And That’s that!

To All You Irredeemables in The Basket of Deplorables

To All You Irredeemables in The Basket of Deplorables

© 2016 Rick Adamson

by Rick Adamson 10.24.16

You represent what America once was, hardworking, loyal, dedicated family oriented folks. You no longer fit into the mold of the elite liberal progressive view of "who we are" or "what we represent".

I, for one, do not appreciate it when Hillary or Barack (or any left leaning politician) remind me of "who we are" or "what we represent". This is simply because I do not share their concept of the matter. They may convince those less informed but I think their views are so far removed from ordinary citizens as to be unrecognizable.

For example, a recent survey showed that 65% of those surveyed (white working class) supported stopping mass immigration, providing American jobs to American workers, preserving America’s Christian heritage, and stopping the threat of Islamists.

There is no reason to believe that this sentiment would not apply to other groups of working folks.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/08/why-trumpism-will-outlast-donald-trump-214166#ixzz4NwCsTSBl

What a protectionist, xenophobic bunch of deplorables! But, this is America albeit with a conservative bent! They do not support Global integration as expressed by President Obama or a western hemisphere completely free of borders or trade barriers as dreamed about by Hillary.

Those surveyed feel a loss of status. Some are concerned by their loss of political status. Others were more frustrated by their loss of social status while many feel like an afterthought.

If the politico’s would try to understand the people and represent their interests things would work much better. But they do not because they have their own concept (dictated by lobbyist who are paid by the donor class) of what America should be.

You deplorables and other traditional Americans are so out of sink with the politico’s that they want to replace you. They want to replace you at the voting booth, replace you in the workplace and otherwise diminish your voice as it relates to determining what 'we" stand for and believe in. They will do this via crony capitalism (1), immigration policy (2), trade policy (3), and divide and conquer tactics (4).

Folks, just keep doing what you are doing and you will shortly see that you no longer matter. See (4) for a reminder.

You still have a choice as to the direction of the country but, depending upon your decision, you may not in the future.

Notes:

1. Just examine the relationship between the government and big banks (Wall Street), the defense contractors, insurance companies and other hugh businesses. The executives of these companies are part of the donor class and they are in and out of government constantly. Who do you think the politico’s are listening to?

2.  Liberal immigration policies for anyone and their family members without regard to the needs of our citizens and an unrelenting effort to confer citizenship upon illegal residents. Too many of these immigrants are unskilled and less educated than the general population. They represent your replacements at the polls.

For a through analysis of our immigrant situation see this:

http://cis.org/Immigrants-in-the-United-States?gclid=CjwKEAjwkJfABRDnhbPlx6WI4ncSJADMQqxdNQl_GSE3S2XkpG71ToIRWQ1PvwXnyrWsxx-4R4vZbBoC3m7w_wcB

3.  Trade agreements that benefit those businesses in (1), but are harmful to many ordinary citizens. Such agreements along with technology have made labor an international commodity not unlike oil or pork bellies. It maybe that the commodity stature of labor was inevitable and, if so, we have failed to properly educate or retrain our citizens for more skilled jobs while the big companies benefited from cheap labor and materials.

4. Convince groups that only FedGov can look out for their interests, e.g., labor unions, immigrants and minorities. These and other groups have voted overwhelmingly for democrats for generations. It just goes without saying.

Once groups are thoroughly convinced, they can be ignored between elections because they would not vote for the other party under any circumstances (regardless of a candidate's color, religion or non religion or policy positions).

And That’s that!

Clinton Foundation and the Clinton Machine

© 2015 Rick Adamson

by Rick Adamson 6.6.15

Who ever came up with the idea for the machine was brilliant. The entire setup is a strategic masterpiece. The scheme is legal and has made the Clinton's very rich.

Just think, you have an arrangement (a marriage in this case) where one partner (or the other) has been on the public payroll for 30+ years, one receives a lavish pension from the government, both receive security services provided by the the Secret Service, one provides lobbying services but accepts no lobbying fees (and, therefore, does not have to register with FedGov as a lobbyist) because speaking fees are arranged instead.

There is no smoking gun or quid pro quo because they are both lawyers and are surrounded by lawyers who know how to avoid it. There is no proof of pillow talk (influence) because they do not sleep together.

The Foundation has collected $2 Billion since its inception but only spends about 10% on charitable grants. Most of the money is spent on staff, salaries for long time cronies and lavish trips (by the Clinton’s, unless Uncle Sam pays, and others) to extravagant conferences.

According to Kyle Smith of the NYPost.com the operation has been “run about as forthright as the KGB”. In 2013 the BBB found the charity failed to meet “minimum standards of accountability and transparency”. While paying for the best legal advice, it’s accountant’s are blamed for the Foundation’s failure to properly disclose donors and donations as required by the IRS. When omissions are disclosed the response is “Ok, we will just amend the tax returns”.

There is no doubt that the foundation has done many good things, however, the overhead associated with those good deeds (making the Clinton’s rich) has been high when compared to the good that the contributed money could have done had it been contributed directly toward the intended purpose.

What a heavenly arrangement.

And That’s that!

Catastrophic Mistake

Catastrophic Mistake

by Rick Adamson 6.11.16
© 2016 Rick Adamson

One of the most significant, if not the most serious, missteps that the federal government has ever taken was its choice to issue Treasury checks to states, entities, and individuals beyond block grants to states.

When the federal government began subsidizing individuals and entities directly, or even states outside of block grants, everything shifted. Suddenly, the federal government became a constant presence in the lives of everyone in the United States. Some individuals, businesses, and states became focused on what financial benefits they could extract from the federal government.

As a result, the political landscape evolved. Elections became increasingly centered around these concerns, leading to a divided electorate. Nowadays, it seems nearly impossible for any President, Senator, or Representative to secure election without embracing the numerous subsidy and grant programs that now dominate the federal budget.

Many of these programs were never envisioned by our founders and arguably fall outside constitutional bounds. The very foundation of the federal government was built by the states and their citizens for specific purposes, the foremost of which is the protection of liberty, resulting in some even contending that they are largely unconstitutional.

This development has come to pass because we, the citizens, and our elected officials often overlook fundamental aspects of human nature. People naturally seek power and control, and when left unchecked, that power gravitates toward those who are determined to claim it.

This is only to be expected.

The issue at hand is that the federal government was never designed to oversee numerous matters. Functions like the military and treasury are clear responsibilities, but local high school policies? And why is there federal funding flowing to K-12 schools in Texas? Isn’t Texas wealthy in oil? Shouldn’t they be capable of funding their own schools? Is it because the federal government takes so much from Texas citizens that they feel obligated to return a portion? Or perhaps it’s about exerting control over educational institutions across Texas and the country.

Schools exemplify just one among countless regulatory schemes created by career bureaucrats and politicians. These initiatives stem from a belief that these officials are better equipped to manage public finances than the local communities.

The reality is that the federal government struggles to effectively handle myriad responsibilities, often failing to improve due to a lack of understanding. Their solution is typically to ask for “more money.” Bureaucrats often resort to guesswork on issues that could be better addressed locally. In short, the federal government is frequently incompetent.

Our founders designed a system of limited government because they understood human nature.

Too bad we have forgotten.

And That’s that!

References:

Redefining the Federal Role in Social Welfare: 1995 [ 👉 here]

The Federal Government is Out of Control

The Federal Government 
is Out of Control

© 2016 Rick Adamson

by Rick Adamson 6.11.16

The vision of government that our founders established is no longer with us. Instead, we've allowed the Federal Government to expand its reach into every corner of our daily lives. They didn’t intend for a system of central planning; rather, they aimed to create a government focused on safeguarding our freedoms.

In those early days, hard work was the norm. People rose each morning with the intention of earning their living.

These founders had fled an oppressive, authoritarian regime that suppressed freedom under the guise of religion. Their goal was to avoid recreating such a system. They implemented checks and balances as a means to limit the scope and power of the new government, fully aware that the essence of human nature could lead to overreach.

While their system may seem cumbersome and slow compared to autocratic or communist governments, the founders accepted this because its primary aim was limited to defense. They understood there would be challenges in governance, acknowledging that their design was meant to operate within constraints.

This is where the idea of “limited government” comes into play. It has often been argued that effectively managing government growth and preserving the people's rights hinges on keeping it limited. Acknowledging human nature, especially the desire for power and control, is essential in this context.

Fast forward about a century, and those in power decided they could more effectively manage lives by shifting authority from states to the federal level. This shift swelled into a torrent during the 1960s, and it shows little sign of abating today. A couple of examples illustrate this shift:

In 1913, the introduction of the income tax provided the Federal Government with a steady source of revenue. That same year, the ratification of the 17th Amendment changed how Senators were chosen. Instead of being appointed by state governments, they began to be elected by popular vote. This change often led to Senators prioritizing national political agendas over the specific needs of their states, especially since their campaigns relied heavily on funding from national parties. Lastly. The Federal Reserve System was created in that same year.

More recently, a segment on “60 Minutes” highlighted a concerning reality: Congress members are reportedly expected to dedicate a significant portion of their time—around four hours a day—to fundraising for their parties, leaving only a fraction of their time for actual legislative work and constituent engagement. This pressure is equally felt by Senators from both parties, reflecting the broader challenges of a government increasingly distant from the people it serves. 

See the episode here: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/60-minutes-are-members-of-congress-becoming-telemarketers/

Over the years, the federal government has tapped into what seems like an unending financial reservoir, giving political parties almost unchecked influence over our elected officials. This, paired with an inherent thirst for power and dominion, has led the federal government to extend its reach into territories that were never envisioned by the Constitution.

Today, it has evolved into an extensive network of more than a dozen major departments, draining nearly $4 trillion annually. With numerous agencies under its roof, it administers over 2,253 subsidy programs and employs around 2.1 million civilian workers, 1.4 million active military personnel, and 560,000 postal employees. It’s an enormous bureaucracy.         These departments and their respective agencies oversee a wide range of areas, imposing upwards of 3,000 new regulations every year, with the total body of regulations stretching to an astounding 168,000 pages. Clearly, the federal government is making countless decisions that impact every facet of our lives.         Given its persistently low approval ratings, the effectiveness of the federal government is highly questionable. While it excels at collecting and expending funds, many citizens feel it does so neither efficiently nor for the right reasons. Just consider the long-standing criticisms surrounding the VA, IRS, and other similar entities.

For a more recent sample, see this report on TSA http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/13/aviation/tsa-long-lines-us-airports/

        In addition to its internal departments and workforce, FedGov extends its reach by ensuring compliance with its laws and regulations through a staggering 2,253 subsidy and benefit programs. This is often summarized as a “Catastrophic Mistake.”

        Among these initiatives are “Grants in Aid,” where funds are allocated to states, local governments, businesses, and individuals under the banner of goodwill. However, these grants come attached with numerous requirements and restrictions that ensure adherence to FedGov's policies.

        A recent instance includes the Department of Education’s threat to revoke funding from schools that fail to comply with its guidance regarding bathroom policies.

        Bureaucrats across every federal agency have crafted thousands of rules, leading to what many perceive as coercive tactics.

        FedGov appears to have overlooked a crucial point: the money they distribute originates from the citizens.

        For another perspective, refer to America’s Trillion-Dollar Bureaucracy. (http://www.downsizinggovernment.org/americas-trillion-dollar-bureaucracy).

        The root of the issue lies in the fact that citizens’ money is being taken by FedGov and redistributed by career bureaucrats and politicians, who design these programs based on the notion that they know better how to utilize taxpayer funds.

        This approach is largely speculative, leading to significant waste, fraud, and mismanagement. Desired outcomes are often not achieved, yet bureaucrats remain unchanged in their methods, as that is all they know.

        It’s important to clarify that this is not a critique of federal employees as individuals. They, like anyone else, are driven by personal ambitions—such as higher salaries and career growth. However, in a government setting, these ambitions can interact adversely with bureaucratic incentives, explaining numerous failures. Government employees and managers often find themselves in situations that push them to act contrary to the public interest.

        They operate outside a framework that incentivizes value creation.

        Without a profit motive, concern over losses, or clear performance benchmarks, the system becomes increasingly susceptible to undue influence from special interests and favoritism.

        The impact of FedGov's expansion can be illustrated with the following chart:

In 1970, the federal government spent just over $1 trillion, and by 2016, that figure ballooned to around $4 trillion. To put it into perspective, $1 trillion is nearly 990 times the estimated worth of Donald Trump, which is around $10 billion.

There's a prevailing concern that middle-class wages have stagnated for years. It's worth comparing your income with the trends depicted in the accompanying chart. If your earnings have kept pace, that’s great; however, many have not experienced the same growth. If we do not take decisive action to address this issue, we could face severe financial consequences as a nation.

A potential path forward involves reducing the federal government's role in our daily lives. This could be accomplished by cutting numerous departments and agencies, halting excessive regulations, and lowering taxes, allowing individuals the autonomy to manage and allocate their money as they choose.

While Congress holds the exclusive power to authorize spending, there’s little hope they will willingly curtail it. After all, they were complicit in leading us to our current predicament, so why would we expect them to resolve it?

What we need is a convention of the states, as outlined in the Constitution. This would bring together the states to determine the conditions under which they agree to operate as a united republic. It seems logical that the collective wisdom of 50 states can be more effective than a centralized federal government.

When this convention occurs, I would suggest several important measures, including term limits for Congress members, mandatory annual balanced budgets, and restricting federal government powers to those explicitly granted in Section 8 of the Constitution, excluding the vague “all other” clause.

And That’s that!